UAE announces $3bn in investment projects for reconstruction in Iraq

The joint statement followed the first official visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi to the Emirates

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, meets Mustafa Al Kadhimi, Prime Minister of Iraq, in Dubai. Iraqi Prime Minister's Office

Mr Al Kadhimi's visit to the UAE was part of his government's approach to strengthen the country's ties with the Arab region. Iraqi Prime Minister's Office

This was Mr Al Kadhimi's first official trip to the UAE since he assumed office last May. Iraqi Prime Minister's Office

Mr Al Kadhimi was received in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Iraqi Prime Minister's Office

Sheikh Mohamed hosted an official reception ceremony for Mr Al Kadhimi at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

The reception ceremony included a 21-gun salute and honour guard. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

The national anthems of the UAE and Iraq were also played during the ceremony. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

Mr Al Kadhimi's office said the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen co-operation between the two countries. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

Talks centred on the energy, investment, culture, trade and transport sectors. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

They also discussed ways to advance relations that serve the public's interest. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

Sheikh Mohamed said it was "a pleasure to welcome our brother Mustafa Al Kadhimi ... to the UAE." Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

The officials discussed regional and global developments, as well as ways to strengthen their "fraternal relations". Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

Mr Al Kadhimi arrived in the UAE with an official delegation. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

"The UAE remains committed to supporting stability and progress for Iraq and its people," Sheikh Mohamed said. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office

Mr Al Kadhimi met with Emirati company executives and business leaders. Iraqi Prime Minister's Office

Mr Al Kadhimi visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. WAM

Mr Mustafa Al Kadhimi was accompanied during his visit by the UAE's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei. WAM

Mr Al Kadhimi's visit to the UAE was part of his campaign to boost trade and economic co-operation with regional heavyweights to revive the Iraqi economy. WAM

The UAE and Iraq have announced that they will work together on reconstruction and investment projects totalling $3 billion, according to a joint statement from the two governments, released on Sunday.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s visit to the UAE strengthens the “bridge of ties” between the two countries, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces said.

The UAE has played a leading role in the multinational effort to rebuild the partially devastated city of Mosul, with a particular focus on restoring the city's ancient cultural heritage, including the famous Al Nuri Mosque and the leaning Al Habda minaret.

In 2018, the United Nation’s cultural agency, Unesco and the UAE teamed up to rebuild the 800-year-old Al Tahera church.

Later they extended the project to include the restoration of Al Saa’a Church in the northern Iraqi city.

Unesco insists the local community must be involved in the projects. Moamin Al-Obeidi / Unesco

Work has already begun. Moamin Al-Obeidi / Unesco

Al Nuri Mosque in Mosul. Moamin Al-Obeidi / Unesco

Local people attend meeting about the proposed restoration works. Moamin Al-Obeidi / Unesco

Moving rubble. Moamin Al-Obeidi / UNESCO

Straps around the pillars. Moamin Al-Obeidi / Unesco

Al Nuri mosque - renovation work in progress. Moamin Al-Obeidi / Unesco

"The two sides agreed on the importance of developing and strengthening cooperation in economic fields, developing trade and increasing trade exchange, encouraging the flow of investment between the two countries, inviting businessmen from the two countries for exchange visits, establishing the Iraqi-Emirati Business Council, and facilitating all measures that serve the interest of the two countries", the joint statement said.

"In this context, the UAE announced its investment of three billion dollars for the brotherly Republic of Iraq."

Trust and loyalty

Mr Al Kadhimi landed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday on his first official visit to the UAE. He led a delegation of top Iraqi officials including Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

“You have honoured us in being here, we have built our relationship based on trust and loyalty. We know that Iraq is going through tough times, we will support you and we are close to each other, in each other’s hearts,” Sheikh Mohamed said while speaking to Mr Al Kadhimi, in a video released by the UAE government.

Iraq is trying to diversify its economy to be less dependent on oil and the country currently exports dates and bitumen – for road surfacing – to the UAE.

The UAE-based Crescent Petroleum operates in the semi-autonomous Kurdish Region of Iraq and has looked at the prospect of signing energy contracts in the south of the country.

“Sheikh Zayed, founder of the UAE, was the one who started this relationship, it was strong, prosperous and we are continuing on this road and this visit proves that,” he said.

“I’m optimistic about the future,” Sheikh Mohamed said.

Sheikh Mohamed told Mr Al Kadhimi that he wishes “from the bottom of his heart” that the relationship between Baghdad and Abu Dhabi prospers.